Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A Syrian official delegation, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the new administration, Assad Al-Shaibani, arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday for its first official foreign visit.

The visit comes in response to an invitation from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Waleed Al-Khuraiji, welcomed the Syrian delegation upon its arrival at King Khalid International Airport.

The delegation included Minister of Defense Marhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab.

Speaking on the occasion, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani emphasized that the new political administration in Syria is committed to building relationships that honor the shared history of the two nations.

“The political administration in Syria aspires to open a new and bright chapter in its relations with Saudi Arabia,” Al-Shaibani said.

On his official account on Platform X, he added: “I have just arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Minister of Defense Marhaf Abu Qasra and General Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab.”

The visit coincided with the arrival of the first Saudi relief aid convoy to Damascus on Wednesday. The convoy carried food, shelter supplies, and medical aid for the Syrian people.

This diplomatic engagement follows recent remarks by Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of the new Syrian administration, where he underscored Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in Syria’s future.

“Saudi Arabia has a significant role to play in Syria’s future,” he said, describing recent Saudi statements regarding Syria as “very positive.”

The new Syrian administration recently appointed Al-Shaibani as Foreign Minister following the ousting of the Assad regime by opposition forces on December 8.